“Get off of me!” Gavin protested as I desperately tried to wrestle the note out of hisgrasp.
“You just punched me, dude. You need to let me see this.” Our eyes were locked. I knew the big, bad hockey star was about to fight me like he did the guys in the rink, but I didn’t give a fuck. It wouldn’t have been the first time Gavin and I got into it. He usually won, but I held myown.
I tore the envelope open and read the scribbled cursive that wove the biggest heap of bullshit I had ever read in my entire damnlife.
My dearestGavin,
This is the hardest letter I have ever written in my life. Please know this decision was not made lightly or in haste in any way. It’s taken me over a month, and sadly, I know without a doubt that it’s not just cold feet. I do believe we are making a mistake and should not get married at this time. I have dreamed about becoming your wife for as long as I can remember, and it’s with a heavy heart that I have to close the door on that dream. You’re an amazing man and will be a fantastic father and partner for someone, but I believe I’m not the one you’re supposed to be with. Through all of it, I have felt second in so much of your life, and I cannot start a marriage being anything but first and foremost in my spouse’s life. My eyes were opened more and more over the last few weeks to things that aren’t going away, getting better, or changing. Putting my feelings on the back burner has weighed me down, and I know that is not what either of us deserve. I know I have changed over the last few years, and that’s a huge part of this. You need to be with someone who is more like you, who still wants to do the same things you do, who loves hockey and doesn’t mind how much you travel. I will always love, admire, respect, and be so proud of you, and I will always be here for you, Gavin. I’m going out of town for the weekend to be alone and truly get my head on straight. Please give me this space. I guess we can hammer out the details when I get home. Please understand that the last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt you. I know inevitably that is what is going to happen, and I am so sorry. I do love you,Gavin.
-Marsheila
Gavin triedto snatch the note out of my hands as I reread it in disbelief then said, “Why don’t you just wait until tomorrow for this? Let’s make the best of all the money you blew on this shitshow.”
I put the note in my pocket, and Gavin turned to his guests. “It seems like there won’t be a wedding tonight…I guess that’s something to celebrate.” He threw his hands into the air, letting out a weirdlaugh.
“Fuck it!” I slapped Gavin on the back before yelling, “It’s all paid for already, let’s have a damnparty!”
So, in our tuxes, with all the guests that were there for Gavin, we went and got plastered at the open bar, ate a shit load of amazing filet mignon with wild Alaskan salmon along with everything else at the buffet, and danced our night away. The best part by far was the food fight that ensued once the cake was brought out. Gavin got an extra bill for cleaning and damages a few days later, but he didn’t mind in the slightest—it had been totally worth it. I was just glad my best friend wasn’t going to be tied to that raging bitch for the rest of his life. If I never saw Marsheila again, it would be toosoon.
Chapter 3
McBee
A few yearslater
“You’re goingto be great! Just try and calm down a bit. It’s going to be fine. Everyone is anxious on their first day on the job. It’s totally normal.” My mother tried her best to comfort me, but to no avail. “I was a complete ball of nerves on my first day and it ended up bring the best day of my life, second only to the day you wereborn.”
I was about to walk into Precinct 69 in Brooklyn. I was about to have a dream I’d had since I was a little girl come true. Both of my parents had been NYPD, and it was time for me to finally follow in theirfootsteps.
Growing up, I had mostly been a loner. I preferred fictional characters to the mean girls and horrible bullies I had dealt with at school. I loved mysteries and crime dramas, reading them as fast as I could get my hands on them. Now, I was embarking on my own crime-filledadventure.
“Yeah, Ma. I know, I know. I’m allowed to be nervous, though—it shows that I care.” I paced a few times just down the block from the front door like alunatic.
“Your father and I are just so proud of you, Jess. You are going to be one hell of a cop!” I could hear her sniffling abit.
“Thanks, Ma,” I sniffled a little bit too, “Ma, I gotta go. I don’t want to be late for my firstshift.”
We hung up the phone and with a deep breath and shaking hands, I walked into the station. I knew my way around it for the most part, and within a few minutes I was standing in the captain’s small office, trembling like aleaf.
“Good morning, sir.” I choked a bit as my throat turned into the Sahara, looking down at the captain that was reading a file on his desk with a magnifyingglass.
“You must be the new kid.” Captain MacDonnell heaved up from the chair behind his desk as I reached my hand out to shakehis.
“Y-Yes, sir,” Istammered.
He hit a button on his phone. “Whistler, come here. Your new partner iswaiting.”
Captain MacDonnell had a devilish smirk on his face as one of the most handsome men I had ever laid eyes on strode into the minute space. He was tall, broad, and had the clearest cobalt eyes I had ever seen in my damn life. That wasn’t the kicker though—it was his damn smile. That smile could make an angelsin.
With a sly simper spreading on his lips, he held his hand out. “Sean Whistler. Nice to meetyou.”
“I’m Jess—uh, Jessica McBee. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” My fingers gripped his for far longer than was appropriate as I got lost in the clear oceans that captivated me, and the captain cleared histhroat.
“Whistler, show McBee the ropes and keep her out of trouble, ya hear? Her parents were on the force and her dad was actually my partner when I worked vice for a blink of aneye.”
Sean put his hand on my shoulder and started to usher me out of the captain’s office. “Nervous, McBee?” he asked, digging his car keys out of hispocket.
“Is it that noticeable?” My cheeks were burning red as I followed him out the doors and to his patrolcar.